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Meeting Between the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey

04/12/2018

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation, Josep Borrell, today held a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu within the framework of the NATO Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, in which they analysed various issues of relevance on the bilateral, international and multilateral agenda.

Minister Josep Borrell was able to confirm the good state of bilateral relations between Spain and Turkey, an ally country and NATO partner.

In terms of security, Minister Josep Borrell reaffirmed that Spain considers Turkey’s security to be strategic for the entire Southern Flank of the Alliance, and by extension, for Europe. As such, for many years Spain has notably participated in NATO’s support mission to Turkey through, among other means, the Patriot Mission in Turkey within the framework of the Spanish contribution to NATO’s defence plan in Turkey; “NATO Support to Turkey”.

Minister Josep Borrell also acknowledged the fundamental role that Turkey plays in the Syrian refugee crisis and its important role in the search for a political solution to the conflict in Syria and the efforts to de-escalate the situation in the country and resume the peace negotiations. These are processes that Spain supports, in the framework of Resolution 2254 of the United Nations Security Council.

With regard to Turkey’s negotiations with the EU, Spain continues to be a strong supporter of the Turkish European perspective, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation encouraged his counterpart to advance in that direction.

Both ministers were able to address the progress in the Alliance of Civilizations process, in which both countries are investing their best efforts, dealing with various matters concerning their development and future.

Finally, the two ministers confirmed that economic and trade relations between the two countries are of a strategic nature, both due to the volume of trade and the sectors involved, expressing their desire for the continued development of this fruitful collaboration into the future.